| Author |
Message |
    
Arman
| | Posted on Monday, February 03, 2003 - 11:52 am: | 
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Gents and Ladies,
I have the opportunity to acquire a 1984 Defender 130 with a 3.5 liter V-8, rebuilt engine and manual gear box, a new clutch, new body panels, brakes, front axle, brushbar and winch and roof rack. It is ready to go on expedition.
I have a 2000 DII, and am thinking about trading. Why? Well I want to traverse the the TransCanada and Pan American highway in a few years. The idea was to get a disco and slowly build it up as the years go by, e.g. change shocks, brushbar and winch, roof rack, extra fuel tank, etc, etc.
This Defender has it all. And although, my heart says go for it, my mind is saying hang on a minute.
I need some relative comments/advice in order to better make a decision. |
Jim
| | Posted on Monday, February 03, 2003 - 12:09 pm: |
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oooh! oooh! DEFENDER !
(sorry)
This presents an interesting philosophical dilemma. Are you more interested in preparing for the adventure or actually undertaking the adventure? In other words, be careful what you wish for, you may get it. Getting the Defender takes away all your excuses for not departing immediately.
This sounds like it's not so much a choice between two vehicles as it is a choice between what you really want.
Take some time (and a case of beer) and consider it carefully.
Good luck!
Jim |
Sean Hanagan (Seanh)
| | Posted on Monday, February 03, 2003 - 12:13 pm: |
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And the dilemma is? OOOOOOOOOOOOOH 130! |
Greg Davis (Gregdavis)
| | Posted on Monday, February 03, 2003 - 12:40 pm: |
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No delimma for me. I'd go for the 130. How many opportunities will you get at one of those? |
Carter Simcoe (Carter)
| | Posted on Monday, February 03, 2003 - 01:14 pm: |
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If you really plan on doing that much traveling that 130 is going to be easier for you or someone else to repair along the way than the DII. |
Grant Lawson (Grant)
| | Posted on Monday, February 03, 2003 - 01:20 pm: |
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Is it the green 130 in Toronto?
Sweet, very sweet.
he also has an expedition ready 110 as well, i, believe.
Need more info, contact me, and i will forward your request.
Grant |
Arman
| | Posted on Monday, February 03, 2003 - 02:27 pm: |
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Grant Lawson,
It is the 130 in Brampton. I have been in touch with the owner. I am seriously thinking of trading in my DII with 72,000 kilometers on it for the 130. Do you know anything about the vehicle? Is the 130 a comparative trade for a DII?
Cheers,
Arman. |
Geoff 93 RRC (Geoff)
| | Posted on Monday, February 03, 2003 - 03:13 pm: |
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The 130 will have more truly field serviceable parts than a D2. For instance, simpler engine management, real fully floating axles, and the old style front swivels. With a tarp over the back (check the UK sites), you can store all of your dirty stuff.
The downside is the 130 is too long for cramped trails, and its noisier, less comfortable, and slower on the highway.
I would take the 130. |
Arman
| | Posted on Monday, February 03, 2003 - 03:19 pm: |
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Geoff,
Does your RRC have the 3.5L V-8? If it does, how strong is the engine?
Cheers,
Arman |
Blake Luse (Muddyrover)
| | Posted on Monday, February 03, 2003 - 03:28 pm: |
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do it do it do it |
Geoff 93 RRC (Geoff)
| | Posted on Monday, February 03, 2003 - 05:07 pm: |
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My own experiences aside, I am not an expert on these engines. Ask these guys: www.rpiv8.com (much history and info on typical problems).
Mine has the 3.9L, but essentially the same as 3.5L. With 106K miles the rod bearings were showing some wear through to the copper. I am checking the main bearings next week, but expect similar. I believe the engine would last if nothing were done to it for another 60-80K miles.
Like the 3.9L I would expect the 3.5 to be an ok engine, provided you get one from about 1982(?) on - they added some structural webbing to improve stiffness to the block and improved flow on the heads. Not much (135-150 hp) power. Typical early '60s technology. Figure a top speed of 80 mph. I doubt you would have any problems with the 3.5 provided the gaskets are in good shape and the oil has been changed regularly.
The 4.0 in the D2 has a stronger bottom end - cross bolted main caps that are also reinforced by the way they fit in the block. However, I have not heard of any bottom end failures of the 3.5 through my research, except in racing applications.
If you can swing the cost, putting in a diesel is better for expedition use due to vastly lower fuel consumption. You will be carrying a lot of extra fuel otherwise (another reason for the 130).
If I were buying the 130 I would want to know all of the maintenance history listing which components have been replaced in order to predict future problems. Make sure the frame is absolutely rust free or competently patched. The boxed LR frames are very strong, but parts of it will break on the road (if rusted) and its one of the few things hard/impossible to fix. |
Grant Lawson (Grant)
| | Posted on Monday, February 03, 2003 - 06:05 pm: |
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probably the same truck. Make sure the fuel tank is fixed and go for it. i would if i could and a buddy would of already if it would fit in underground parking. mail me at home and I can push (point) you in the right direction. Who are you buying it from? discotech? |
Scott-OZ
| | Posted on Monday, February 03, 2003 - 06:52 pm: |
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All depends on what you want. If you want to go just about anywhere (and sometimes more places than a 130 inch because of better approach and departure and ramp-over angles) IN COMFORT, take the II. If you are happy with much more road, wind and drive-line noise, but like the much bigger diffs, much more storage space and the fact that in terms of reliablity there aint much to go wrong, go the Defender.
My 2 bob.
Scott-OZ |
Arman
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 04, 2003 - 06:46 am: |
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Geoff 93/Grant/Guys,
Thanks for all the constructive comments, advice and answering my queries. I have to agree with you all. I'll go up and have a look at it, and if it is mechanically sound, make a decision then.
Again, thanks guys.
Cheers,
Arman. |
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